Sometimes the connections in Scripture jump out at me and speak to my soul. Take for example, this week's text, which talks about Jesus being in Jerusalem for the Passover with his family, only to stay behind at the temple to talk with the religious leaders.
His parents, of course, are frantic. But at the end of the text, we are told that Mary treasured these things in her heart. I wondered if they were stored there, beside the words of Simeon and Anna, and helped create a more complete picture of who her child would be. I wonder if Mary found herself thinking back to the story of another young man who found himself in the temple - Samuel.
In 1st Samuel, we find the story of Hannah, a woman who desperately wants a child, but cannot conceive. One day she pours her heart out to God and says that if only God would give her a child, she would present him for service at the temple. Which is exactly what came to pass. And it was in that temple, that Samuel received a call on his life that would change the course of a nation and history.
Mary and Hannah sing similar songs when they find out that they are with child. Mary and Hannah both have children that are given in service to God. Mary and Hannah both have children that will change the world.
What other parallels do you see between Hannah and Mary?
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